Discipleship

Chances are you’ve never heard of Ed. Years ago he paced back and forth outside of Holton’s Shoe Store in Boston. The reason for his angst was the 18-year-old store clerk who worked inside that had been attending his Sunday School Class. Prompted by the Holy Spirit, Ed felt compelled to share his faith with the young man. His doubts, however, ravaged his good intentions with uncertainty.

What if he won’t listen to me?
What if he finds me pushy?
What if he throws me out?

Any serious Christian can relate to fears like these. Sharing our faith with others can be one of the more intimidating disciplines of Christianity. Thankfully, Ed mustered up his courage, walked into the store and declared, “I have come to tell you how much Christ loves you.” The two men talked for several minutes before, in a moment of commitment, the young man kneeled in prayer as he called out to Christ for salvation.

Ed Kimball never preached the gospel to millions, but his efforts to be faithful in that single moment left a profound legacy on the world. That teenage store clerk, you see, was an impressionable D.L. Moody, who went on to become the 19th century’s most influential evangelist and founder of the Moody Church, Moody Bible Institute, and Moody Press in Chicago. His ministry also influenced a soon to be Presbyterian minister, J. Wilbur Chapman, who joined Moody in guiding a professional baseball player named Billy Sunday to pursue the calling as well.

Sunday’s preaching in Charlotte, North Carolina was so powerful in 1924 that the Charlotte Businessman’s Club was born. Ten year later, the same organization invited a minister named Mordecai Ham to preach revival services, resulting in another impressionable 18-year-old’s conversion to Christ and calling to ministry. His name? Billy Graham.

Can you imagine how different the world would be if Ed Kimball never found the courage to entrust the gospel to that young shoe clerk in Boston? A single, unknown believer touched the world for Christ simply because of his willingness to share with others what he received from the Lord. Believers today share the same charge as Christ commissions us to make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19-20).

The Apostle Paul echoes the same theme as he writes to Timothy, his protégé in the ministry. “The things you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who are able to teach others also (2 Tim. 2:2).” The clear priority here is making sure that the gospel passes from one generation to the next. Thus, discipleship is not a ministry of the church, but THE MINISTRY of the church. As God strengthens us with His grace, we should work heard to empower others with same gospel.

So where should we begin?

First, the priority of a soldier invites us. Using the illustration of a soldier, Scripture beckons us to be willing to suffer for the sake of the gospel (2 Tim. 2:3). Think about the tremendous sacrifices those who don their country’s uniform face. They endure harsh conditions away from the people they love, all while putting their lives at risk. Thus, if we are serious about making disciples, we must accept that the work will be difficult.

To stay on task, we should always remember that a good soldier serves with the single purpose of pleasing his commanding officer (2 Tim. 2:3). In a similar way, our goal should never be to please men, but God who examines our hearts (1 Thess. 2:4). Doing so requires avoiding worldly entanglements that distract us from our primary mission of stewarding the gospel well.

Second, the precision of an athlete inspires us. Turning to the world of athletics, Paul next emphasizes the need to play by the rules if we are to succeed in God’s mission. Like an athlete battling for a prize, we must compete according to the rules (2 Tim. 2:5). True competitors familiarize themselves with the agreed standards of play through diligent study and repetitious practice. Likewise, Christians must pursue godliness through reading and obeying Holy Scripture. Versions of Christianity that undermine or contradict the Bible may appeal to many, but they are anything but Christian. Cutting biblical corners will disqualify even those with the best of intentions from serving the Lord.

Third, the patience of a farmer instructs us. In what may be my favorite example of all, Scripture reminds us that making disciples is only possible when you realize that doing so requires the patience of farmer working a field (2 Tim. 2:6). Just think about how much forbearance bringing in an abundant harvest requires. The farmer must wait for winter to end. He plows and plants, then he waits some more. He waters the seed, and then waits. He covers the crops when the frost comes, and then he waits. He waits knowing how the season works. He waits believing that the harvest will come. And He waits trusting that his hard work will pay off.

Then, one day, the harvest does indeed come in and, in that moment, the sacrifice of waiting is well worth it. Before the farmer’s food feeds your family, it covers his table. Before his cotton covers your back, it fills his closet. His vegetables will occupy jars in his cupboard before they line the shelves of your pantry in cans. The meat from his livestock will load his freezer before it replenishes yours. And rightly so, because the hardworking farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.

So, let’s keep making disciples. Let’s keep the main thing the main thing. No matter how much you sacrifice, no matter how long it takes, and no matter how long you must wait, you’ll be glad that you did.

Adam B. Dooley
November 14, 2024